SAN DIEGO, Calif. — Michelle Mack, a 54-year-old woman from Bonsall, California, began serving a five-year prison sentence on January 9 after pleading guilty to running a large-scale organized retail crime ring. The operation targeted major beauty retailers like Ulta Beauty and Sephora, stealing millions of dollars worth of products to resell on Amazon.
As part of her plea agreement, Mack was ordered to pay $3 million in restitution to Ulta, Sephora, and other unnamed retailers who were victims of her crime ring. She forfeited her 4,500-square-foot mansion, which was sold for $2.35 million in December 2023, and any remaining funds after settling bank debts will be directed toward the restitution. Mack and her husband, Kenneth Mack, are required to pay the remainder of the restitution “over time.”
Mack’s crime ring, which spanned at least a dozen states, was responsible for the theft of an estimated $8 million in beauty products. Mack recruited a group of young women to steal merchandise, which she then resold through her Amazon storefront at a fraction of the retail price. Although Mack was not directly involved in the thefts, she orchestrated the operation and profited from the stolen goods.
In addition to her prison sentence, the California Attorney General’s Office and law enforcement officials expressed their satisfaction with the outcome, highlighting the importance of partnerships between retailers, law enforcement, and prosecutors in addressing organized retail crime.
Despite the large restitution amount, experts note that it may take years for the victims to receive full compensation, as restitution payments depend on the defendant’s ability to pay. Nonetheless, the case illustrates the growing issue of organized retail theft and the challenges retailers face in recovering losses.
Mack’s husband, Kenneth Mack, was also sentenced in connection to the operation, with both being involved in orchestrating the criminal activities.